Downtown Long Beach is not just changing — it’s transforming.

Walk through the heart of the city today and you’ll notice cranes rising, sidewalks rerouted, and the rhythmic hum of construction. What’s unfolding isn’t just a construction boom — it’s a complete rethinking of how Downtown Long Beach can look, feel, and function for the future.

🏗️ The Rise of a New Skyline

New high-rise residential towers, mixed-use developments, and renovated public spaces are rapidly redefining the city’s skyline. Projects like the Shoreline Gateway Tower — now the tallest building in Long Beach — signal a shift toward vertical growth, modern architecture, and urban density that blends coastal charm with cosmopolitan design.

Upcoming developments include:
1. Alexan West End

• Location: 600 W. Broadway
• Overview: Set to be one of the largest residential developments in Long Beach, Alexan West End will feature 600 residential units. The project includes multiple buildings of varying heights, contributing to the city’s vertical growth. ​Longbeachize+1Urbanize LA+1

2. West Gateway

• Location: 600 W. Broadway
• Overview: This ambitious project plans to introduce a 40-story tower, which would become the tallest building in Long Beach upon completion. The development encompasses six buildings with a mix of residential units and commercial spaces, totaling 694 residential units. ​Curbed LA

3. American Life Hotel

• Location: 100 E. Ocean Blvd.
• Overview: A proposed 30-story hotel tower aiming to bring 429 guest rooms to the heart of Downtown Long Beach. This development is part of the city’s “8 by 28” initiative, preparing for the 2028 Olympics. ​Long Beach+1Curbed LA+1Curbed LA

4. Broadway Block

• Location: 240 Long Beach Blvd.
• Overview: This mixed-use complex will feature a 23-story residential tower and a seven-story structure, offering 400 apartments, including affordable units for CSULB faculty and graduate students. The project also includes creative office and retail spaces. ​Curbed LA

5. 3rd & Pacific

• Location: 131 W. 3rd St.
• Overview: A 23-story high-rise development proposed by Ensemble Real Estate, comprising 345 residential units along with retail and commercial spaces. ​Curbed LA

6. 300 Alamitos

Overview: An 82-unit affordable housing project for low-income seniors and seniors who have experienced homelessness. The five-story community is designed to offer various amenities and is expected to be completed by summer 2026. ​Long Beach

Location: 300 Alamitos Ave.

These aren’t just buildings — they’re blueprints for a more vibrant, walkable, and livable downtown.

🏙️ From Concrete Jungle to Community Hub

The vision for downtown isn’t just about square footage. It’s about reimagining community life. More green spaces, upgraded bike lanes, and improved access to public transportation are part of the city’s push to make downtown more inclusive and accessible. Expect to see:

• Enhanced bike infrastructure connecting downtown to the beach and nearby neighborhoods.
• Expanded sidewalks and public plazas designed for outdoor dining, art installations, and gathering.
• Eco-friendly features integrated into new developments, from solar panels to green rooftops.

The shift is intentional: to bring people into downtown, not just through it.

💼 Why It Matters for Locals and Newcomers

Whether you’re a business owner, renter, or potential homebuyer, the changes to Downtown Long Beach matter. More housing means new opportunities for residents looking to live in the heart of it all. More foot traffic means greater visibility for local businesses. And a modernized infrastructure means a better quality of life for everyone who calls downtown home.

This transformation also positions Downtown Long Beach as a serious economic and cultural contender — not just within the region, but statewide.

🚶‍♀️ What’s Next?

Downtown’s evolution is far from over. City planners, developers, and community groups continue to collaborate on how to balance growth with preservation — ensuring that the soul of Long Beach isn’t lost in the shine of steel and glass.

It’s a delicate balance. But if done right, this could be the moment that takes Long Beach from up-and-coming to undeniably arrived.

👀 Keep an Eye On:

• New housing and retail openings
• Community input meetings and planning workshops
• Art installations and creative placemaking projects

📍Have you seen downtown’s transformation in action? Snap a pic, tag us @ThisIsLongBeach, and show us your view of the city’s next chapter.